Many people are surprised how long a real thangka takes. The artist starts by stretching cotton canvas on a frame and coating it with a gesso of chalk and animal glue, then polishing it smooth with a stone. Next comes the drawing, done on a strict grid so every deity follows the correct proportions.

Colours are added in layers, starting with the sky and background, then the figures. Mineral pigments are mixed with glue and applied slowly, and shading is built up with tiny strokes. Gold lines come near the end, and the eyes are painted last in a small ceremony. A detailed piece can take several months. If you would like to see finished work made this way, Buy authentic thangka painting shows hand-painted thangkas from Nepal.